Cowboys lead East, keep eyes on Eagles

Dallas gets boost from Giants loss, but stays focused on Philly.

Eagles running back LeSean McCoy (25) celebrates his third touchdown Sunday against the Jets with Jason Avant.

Photo By AP

Dallas Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett (80) and wide receiver Laurent Robinson (81) celebrate a 9-yard touchdown reception by Robinson during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, in Tampa, Fla.

Photo By Associated Press

Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan calls a defensive play during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Cowboys defeated the Buccaneers 31-15 in an NFL game Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Margaret Bowles)

Photo By Associated Press

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, left, line up for a play against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, in Tampa, Fla. Dallas won 31-15. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Photo By Associated Press

Dallas Cowboys running back Sammy Morris runs for yardage against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, during the second half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, in Tampa, Fla. Dallas won 31-15. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett watches play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, in Tampa, Fla. Dallas won 31-15. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Thanks to Saturday night's 31-15 win at Tampa Bay and a helping hand from the Redskins, the Cowboys (8-6) lead the NFC East by a game with two left, including the season finale at the Giants (7-7) on Jan. 1. Dallas can wrap up its third division title in five years if it beats the Eagles (6-8) at Cowboys Stadium on Saturday and the Giants lose to the New York Jets (6-8) in the Meadowlands.

Only one problem: The Eagles are red-hot after winning their past two games, including a 45-19 dismantling of the Jets on Sunday.

Then there's this: When they met for the first time this season Oct. 30 in Philadelphia, the Eagles dominated from start to finish, winning 34-7.

“As we prepare for the Eagles this week, we'll watch that tape,” Garrett said. “I think everybody remembers what happened that night and the challenges that team presents.”

The players return to work Tuesday after two days off, but their focus turned to Philadelphia immediately after the final second ticked off in Tampa.

The Eagles can get into the playoffs only by winning the division. For that to happen, they must win at Dallas and at home against Washington, and get some help. The Giants have to lose to the Jets, then beat the Cowboys.

“We've got to let this game go,” Dallas cornerback Mike Jenkins said in Tampa. “We won this one, but it has to be just like a loss and get the taste out of our mouths as soon as possible. So right now, we've got to focus on Philadelphia.”

Still, it's hard not to appreciate how the Cowboys put back-to-back heartbreaking losses to Arizona and the Giants behind them to take care off business against the lowly Bucs (4-10).

“You hear me say this a lot: You have to put the last one to bed, and you have to clean the slate and accept the next challenge,” Garrett said. “It starts with how you prepare during the week to get yourself emotionally ready to play and to be your best. That's whether you've won a game, won a stretch of games or you lost a game, you lost by a lot or you lost by a little.

“Somehow, some way, you've got to process it and go forward.”

The Cowboys did exactly that after the Giants beat them 37-34 last week.

“Our guys practiced well, practiced with a purpose, were excited about the opportunity to go down there to Tampa,” Garrett said. “We played pretty well throughout our team.”